It's brand new that's obviously the difference!! Wow, I can't believe Ross wrote even one sentence to try and address this question, it's pretty straightforward!

Or is it??

I have done a few new construction sales during my career in real estate, and I've shown plenty more that have not turned into a sale. And part of that reason is I know there is a difference and that difference is.................... COST!!!

Yes, you are buying a new home and that means you are the only people to ever live in it and you get to make it yours. You are the first to create memories, the first to scratch a floor, the first to ding a door, the first to stain carpet, and break a window. You will also host the first holidays in that home, and have the first laughs, tears, and every emotion in between.

But there is something else to consider when shopping for a new construction property and that is what it is going to cost you to get it complete when compared with an existing home. And guess what, it's not cheap, well it's as cheap as you make it but it's going to cost you more than the sticker price of the house.

If you have ever met a builder ask them this question; do you complete the lawn and have it ready to go Day 1? I can promise you, many builder do not plant seed or install sod for a lawn, and that falls on you the homeowner. As does the landscaping around a house; bushes, flowers, stone, mulch, etc. So budget for this and you can call some local landscapers to get estimates, but I can promise you it's more than a couple hundred bucks to install a lawn and do basic landscaping.

Alright, question number 2 for a builder of a new construction property; will you install my driveway, patio, sidewalk, & front walk? The answer to this is, maybe. This will depend on the time of the year first because you cannot lay concrete in winter, and even late fall & early spring is a no go. So if they are willing to do it, it won't be done Day 1, and you may be waiting 6 months or more for a driveway. Yikes. But some builders also don't include these items, but they can be negotiated and that's all going to be property & builder dependent. So I hope you have a good Realtor to help you navigate and negotiate this.

Those are the two big things on the exterior of a home that are not included in all new construction, but what about inside, that's all done right? WRONG!

Let me ask you this question; do you like to sleep, relax, change, and spend your entire life with the windows open for your neighbors to look in? I'm guessing the answer is no, and you figured out another thing that is not included in new construction; window treatments. Could you negotiate these in to an offer, maybe, but more likely would be getting a credit from a builder for purchasing them because these are not part of a home and are person to person dependent. Most likely though the cost of and installation of blinds & curtains will fall on you, the owner.

And lastly, there is one other thing that is generally up for consideration by builders to not be included in the cost of a home, and that's appliances. Many builders do include kitchen appliances, but not all of them so it's good to ask about it. But they also don't include washer & dryer for you generally. So you'll be on the hook for at least some appliances.

So in short the main difference between new construction & existing homes is this; COST. You could find yourself spending an additional $20,000, $30,000, $50,000 or more on these items. And that's all going to be based on what you pick out, the contractors you work with, and what you ultimately want to spend.  Oh, and maybe new construction developments and municipalities have rules that require lawns & driveways so you will be spending this money.

So if you find yourself considering a new construction vs. and existing home, make sure you are talking to people that work in the industry every day, because we know a thing or two. Yes new construction homes are beautiful and amazing but they do come with work, never forget that!!

If you'd like I'd be happy to sit down for a cup of coffee and chat with you about this in further detail!